Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
All this week we'll look at the battle over legalizing marijuana. Tonight, we focus on the medical angle, in part through the eyes of award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge. She used medical marijuana during her battle against breast cancer.
Currently, medical marijuana is available in 13 states (we'll show which ones during the program). Do you think it should be an option nationwide? Sound off below.
We'll also have the latest from Iran where a protest over Friday's presidential election turned deadly today. There are reports at least one person was killed while marching against the re-election of Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
They protesters are supporters of his leading opponent, moderate Mir Hossein Moussavi. They say the election was stolen from him.
Here's what makes this story so important: these are the largest anti-government protests in Iran since the revolution 30 years ago.
Join us for these stories and much more starting at the top of the hour. See you then!
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Marijuana is less harmful than drinking. Our laws are backwards.
I am shocked by the media's one-sided accounts of the election in Iran. It would seem that there were system-wide violations. I would instead like to hear from a group of political voting experts that could explain how these infractions could occur while there was world-wide attention.
i have a relative who had colon cancer , received radiation , dropped his weight from 170 to 120 lbs and had no appetite .. so basically his life was slipping away and his body had no resistance to other medical problems .. he started smoking marijuana and it brought back his appetite and he started eating again and he gained all his weight back in one year .. that was 5 years ago .. he has been cancer free since . and he is alive thanks to smoking maajuana ..
I am a life long chronic pain and anxiety sufferer that has never lead a normal life no matter how hard I have tried. I have tried marijuana and it had remarkable effects on my digestion, anxiety, and PAIN. However, I have not adopted using it as I do not want to break the law. There are much more dangerous legal drugs, chemicals, and substances in our culture than Weed. It is time, in my opinion, for most Americans to really look at the world and reality around us.
We do not have to legalize marijuana but we really should consider decriminizing petty possesion and at the least legalize the medical prescribed use of it.
A much more open and real conversation about this topic would benefit us all. I know many alcoholics and cigarette addicts...why are we so afraid of marijuana?
After all, it is God's green earth.
Dan Vogelgesang
I have had stomach problems for decades. An FDA approved drug given me for acid reflux caused much more serious problems to my body, as well as host of other problems. Cannabis is NOT the demon.
Marijuana should definitely be legal. Who are we as a society to ban a drug thats been in use for thousands of years, and persecute people who just want to get high? And on top of that, its been proven to be less harmful than alcohol. I just dont get it.
Legalize it.
The legalization of marijuana would be a valuable tool for helping us to emerge from our current economic slump. It would create new jobs and industries, and really, is it worse than alcohol? Ive never heard of marijuana remission killing anyone.
Legalize it!!!
Its about time
When was the last time you heard about somebody smoking a little weed, then getting in his car and killing somebody? Or going home high and beating the crap out of his wife and kids? Like any drug, it has the potential for abuse, but marijuana users are, on average, a lot less violent and destructive than drinkers.
I think marijuana needs to become legalized immediately. The whole war on drug is a failure and is costing this country a ridiculous amount of money that could be used for things like health care and infrastructure. Legalize pot, regulate it just like cigarettes or alcohol, and tax it to get this country on its feet. Just think of all the jobs that could be created!
I have constant neuropathic pain in my lower body from a spinal cord injury I suffered in 2002 as a result of a scuba diving injury. I have taken several medications to relieve the pain and spasticity from the nerve damage, none of which have been effective.Smoking marijuana is the ONLY thing that gives me relief from the pain.
Melissa Etheridge is exactly right. I have never understood what the big deal is about an adult sitting in their own home smoking a joint. It's quiet, peaceful, controlled, not at all like alcohol's unsteady erratic and potentially lethal effects.
As for the second lady, pot is not for everyone and if it doesn't work for you, you're best off leaving it alone. And this is the other part of the argument for legalization, that you won't see a mass addiction to marijuana. Some will try it just out of curiousity, some will like it, some won't, some won't even try it because they don't approve and that's fine. But you shouldn't be able to make something illegal for me because it's against your morals.
Get real. Nobody ever died from an overdose of pot. People are going to smoke it whether it's legal or not, just like they drank during prohibition. And the economic benefits would really help a lot right now.
ya know melissa ethridge is right who are we to JUDGE anybody anybody ive learned being here in europe (germany) that americans are very judgemental and look where its got them lol how sad!!! there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana for most IT IS NOT addictive and alot of doctors will tell you this.. i praise miss ethridge for what she is doing to legalize marijuana..and wish her all the happiness that this world has to offer .
I think the most important thing Melissa said was that the resistance against legalization is a "people problem, not the drug". Some of the legal medicine that doctors prescribe now is far more dangerous than marijuana.
What I would like to see AC report on is the effects of legalizing marijuana on the the criminal elements. A friend of mine points to the legalization of Alcohol. He says it reduced violent crime and lessened organized crime. Is this true or just perception?
Medically,I think marijuana is a fine alternative to other pain pills that are just as addictive and more harmful to the body.
As a RN for the past 18 yrs and a pot smoker for the last 20 yrs I can testify on this issue from many fronts. First, whether legal or not, its here to stay, has always been here, and always will. Second, the increased border security has popularized the homegrown movement. Third, there are millions of professionals like myself that are active smokers, work hard and pay taxes, raise our children in good homes, and have to worry about going to jail for its possession and use when alcohol continues to kill on a daily basis. Legalize now.
What Melissa Etheridge said about not being to get throught chemotherapy without marijuana is so insulting to the thousands like me that made it through(with difficulty at times) without it and are here cancer free...what she said is disgusting
Yes medical marjuana works ....I am a 11 year cancer survivor
Make it legal and watch the crime rate drop and our budget surplus grow! Very similar to someone coming home and having a beer or a glass or two of wine to unwind from the day. What is the difference?
Marijuana has medicinal value, period. I do not consider Marijuana a gateway drug any more than alcohol, cigarettes, and/or peer pressure. Marijuana is very easily attainable by any person who wants it. Now the question is, do we keep letting the drug dealers profit off of its sale, and rage violence in some instances, or let it be regulated and reap the profits ourselves?
Calling Marijuana a "controlled" substance is laughable to me because it is everything but controlled; it is everywhere. People need to get a clue that we cannot afford to keep spending wasteful tax dollars on something this minute. End of story.
It makes you wonder if the fear of legalizing pot is due to the stigma that alcohol has played on our society, with drunk drivers and alcoholics. This stigma may be overlapping into the effects pot may have on our culture even though most pot is not addictive, nor especially dangerous when driving – at least not the same as the effects of alcohol while driving.
If legalized, the idea of controlling THC levels is more appealing than the dangers of kids getting pot without knowing that it may be laced with other dangerous drugs. I would rather see this monitored, just like the alcohol content is between grocery stores and liquor stores.
I suffer from chronic migraines and have found that smoking relieves the progression of migraines. When I went to the doctors they gave me many drugs, pills or inhalers, they would just increase how often I got the migraines. My migraines are so debilitating that I cannot see, get nauseous and have light sensitivity and smoking marijuana helps in the most profound way.
Marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes only. I'm in full support of people who need something to take the edge off of chemo, and any other illness. As far as legalized for the general public, I don't think we should demoralize our society with its legalization.
Prohibition didn't work for alcohol, it obviously isn't working for marijuana.
alcohol kills many more people per year.in fact i dont think there is any statistics for marijuana related deaths.so why isnt it legal?plus it would help us with the deficit.look at the tax revenue californa makes on it.
Not Addictive as Alcohol or Tobacco? True, but it’s not about the rate of addiction that counts, it’s the fact that IT’S AN ADDICTION. The point is, ‘crackpots’ will want it over and over again which feeds the demand. In fact, the common defensive of Marijuana users to advance its legalization is telling people “Why don’t you try it yourself?”… Is this getting through? The reason why they wanted people to try it is because they wanted more people to be addicted to it and support it!
Suppose it’s not Lethal and safer than Alcohol. What’s the healthy benefit of using it? Can it make me stronger? Smarter? Rid Cancer? Can it give me healthier lungs? It’s just for their twisted pleasure!
Isn't it all about the controls,how to govern it,tax it,etc etc etc
Alcohol was made Legal to buy in a Licensed retail approved place.Plus restrictions
Now its time to do the same with Marijuana.........
I am 22 yrs. old & have been smoking weed since I was 16. I have yet to try another drug nor am I interested in it. Marijuana is not a gateway drug. That is just an excuse for weak minded people. Marijuana is amazing.
I believe it should be legalized for health purposes. I know it's helped many of my friends that have suffered with cancer and other illnesses. If it helps people it's a no brainer, legalize it. Why is it taking so long to debate about something so easy to decide upon. As for people abusing the drug, that can be dealt with with the authorities, if need be. But, I believe that alcohol is much more a factor in deaths and accidents. If it makes people feel better and can take away some pain, let them use it and have it easily accessible to them. Melissa will speak the truth~
Peace...
ughhh legalizee it already
I was on dialysis for 3 years. It was the most miserable time of my life. I did dialysis three times a week. On those days, my stomach would churn constantly and I had no appetite. Already underweight, I started losing more weight. A freind suggested I try marijuana, which I did. I was a miracle cure. It settled my stomach and helped my appetite.
Unfortunately, I had to do it illegally. I was a criminal!
Decriminalization for all and Medicinal Marijuana is the route we need to take on the federal level...Lets get law enforcements priorities straight and focus on what really matters in this country!!!!
I vote yes, lets get out of debt, and be the best we can be......
Prohibition = higher drug prices = government corruption = increased profits for terrorists and organized crime = more drug dealers and users
Legalization = more control = lower prices = less profit for terrorists and organized crime = fewer drug dealers and users.
Here’s a reason to “keep off the grass.” Researchers in Canada report that marijuana smoke contains significantly higher levels of several toxic compounds — including ammonia and hydrogen cyanide — than tobacco smoke and may therefore pose similar health risks.
Their study, termed the most comprehensive to date on the chemical content of marijuana smoke, is scheduled for the Dec. 17 issue of ACS’ Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal.
David Moir and colleagues note that researchers have conducted extensive studies on the chemical composition of tobacco smoke, which contains a host of toxic substances, including about 50 that can cause cancer. However, there has been relatively little research on the chemical composition of marijuana smoke.
In this new study, researchers compared marijuana smoke to tobacco smoke, using smoking machines to simulate the smoking habits of users. The scientists found that ammonia levels were 20 times higher in the marijuana smoke than in the tobacco smoke, while hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and certain aromatic amines occurred at levels 3-5 times higher in the marijuana smoke, they say.
The finding is “important information for public health and communication of the risk related to exposure to such materials,” say the researchers.
weed is the healing for the nation.
Why not use the Legalization of Marijuana to help us out with our Economy Crisis? Didn't we do the same with alcohol to help ease the great depression? The scientific facts outweigh any other argument. Marijuana is NOT a drug. It is not altered in any way before it is consumed.
Marijuana should be legalized in the United States. Legalizing will take away the monopoly that drug cartels and criminals have on the product, as well as add much needed FDA oversight so that marijuana will be even more safe. Here in California we could also heavily benefit from the tax revenue that would be generated from the sale of this drug. Prohibition of alcohol was in no way effective, and the same is true for marijuana.
Marijuana may make you anxious. Some people should not smoke it, but should that limit the use for every one else?
Tyranny of the minority...? for how many years?
Marijuana needs to be legalized pot smokers aren't criminals, also patients suffering from AIDS, and Cancer need it not just to get high!
Studies have shown that regular marijuana users do not get Alzheimers. THC apparently interferes with the formation of plaque in the brain.
Corporate america is the only reason marijuana is illeagl for any reason. Anyone who knows their history would know this. The government took the corporate money and created myths and lies to use as scare tactics to sell to the american people. Do your homework then make up your minds.
Alcohol is legal , number of alcohol related deaths annually?
Tobacco is legal???
Lets get he facts out in the open and compare???
Anslinger and his lame arguments against pot have been on-going for decades. Why is it the government used to support the farmers that grew it., but now its practically illegal to talk about it.
Prohibition has never worked. Even the first prohibition was a complete failure, and I'm not talking about alcohol. How about the garden of eden... don't eat the fruit... fruit was eaten. Same thing here...
The woman who had a negative experience was using it for bi-polal illness and was probably somewhat suicidal anyway. If someone is already having serious problems from not being grounded, they should think twice.
People should 'liberate' their seeds instead of throwing them in the trash. Hemp grows like a weed, it doesn't require special lights or hydroponics. If it grew everywhere, there wouldn't be too much anyone coud do about it, except live with it. Marijuana is here to stay.
I have MS and am living proof of the power of God's medicine.....